No matter what the calendar says, summer does not end on Labor Day in Monmouth County. There is plenty of warm-weather fun to be found during September. The beaches are open, farm markets are bountiful, free concerts are still in parks – just as though it were the height of the summer season. A few twists have been added to the mix: beach bonfires, the Jazz and Wine Festival, flea markets and a street fair.

You can walk, bike, drive, run or just pull up a seat and watch, because the month’s roster is long on places to see and things to do for all tastes and inclinations. Historic Allaire Village in Wall has its Wine and Jazz Festival Sept. 4-5. Asbury Park’s popular Oysterfest returns Sept. 11-12. Both the Ocean Grove and Atlantic Highlands Historical Society flea markets are Sept. 11. Red Bank’s annual street fair is Sept. 12.

Allaire Village holds a flea market Sept. 18, and an 1830s harvest festival on Sept. 19. Ocean Grove has its yearly collectibles and furniture auction Sept. 3. Asbury Park’s flea market and First Saturday event is Sept. 4. Spring Lake offers its Labor Day End of Summer Celebration, replete with an art walk and sidewalk sale on Sept. 4, too.

Festival fans have Allaire Village’s annual crafters’ market and the Fall Arts & Crafts Festival in Manasquan Sept. 25. Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel brings the Harvest Home Festival reminiscent of a true 1890s country fair on Sept. 26. Long Branch Day has bocce and horseshoe contests in a day-long celebration Sept. 11.

Surfers get their due Sept. 16-19 at the Belmar Pro Surfing Competition, one of the largest contests on the East Coast. All categories are represented on Belmar’s 18th Avenue beach. And, speaking of surfing, the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan debuts Surf Bash! with Matt Costa, featuring live entertainment, food, skateboarding and more surfer accoutrements.

Equestrian aficionados have the Dressage at Stone Tavern Sept. 2-5; the New Jersey All Breed Horse Show and Dressage Schooling Sept. 18; the ESDCTA Dressage Championships Sept. 19, and Woodedge at The Park Sept. 30, all at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown. Monmouth Park continues a successful season with live music, pony rides, clowns and more at Family Fun Day Sept. 6, the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival Sept. 18, the Steeplechase Festival Sept. 25 and Fan Appreciation day Sept. 26.

Like wheels? Wall Stadium opens Sept. 10 with a Friday Night Cruise Night. Belmar Cruise Night is Sept. 16 while Ocean Grove expects some 100 British cars Sept. 25. Keyport’s antique car show is Sept. 17, and Keyport Fest on Sept. 25 features rides, crafts, fireworks, a Soap Box Derby and a 5K run.

You can even join experienced and first-time triathletes testing their stamina at the county’s Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park’s Sprint Triathlon that includes a quarter-mile ocean swim, 12.5-mile bike ride and three-mile run.

Need to know more?

You can find it all in the Monmouth County Tourism Department’s Calendar of Events. This thorough listing is updated daily at www.visitmonmouth.com. Or, you can have the calendar and a packet of information delivered to your door by making your request at 800-523-2587. Or, visit the Monmouth County Department of Economic Development and Tourism at 1 E. Main St., Freehold to select your custom information package.